Being in a garrison mentality is like that time you built a fort in your room with blankets and pillows, and you felt safe inside it. But imagine for a moment that you built that fort because you were scared of the big, scary world outside. That's what it's like to have a garrison mentality.
When people have a garrison mentality, it means they feel like they need to protect themselves from outside dangers. They might not trust anyone who isn't part of their group or community, and they might feel like there are enemies everywhere they turn.
This kind of mentality can develop in different situations. For example, if people live in a dangerous neighborhood, they might feel like they need to barricade themselves indoors to stay safe. Similarly, if they belong to a certain religion or political group that's under attack, they might feel like they need to stick together and defend themselves against outsiders.
The problem with a garrison mentality is that it can lead to a lot of fear and distrust. People might start to see outsiders as threats, even if they're not doing anything wrong. This can make it harder for different groups to work together or understand each other.
So while building a fort and feeling safe inside it can be a fun thing to do, it's important to remember that we should also be open to the world outside and try to make connections with others.